Environmental Public Health

Photo Credit: Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library

The Environmental Public Health Program evaluates the possible hazards to human health associated with toxic substances in the environment. Epidemiological studies and toxicological risk assessments are used to evaluate human exposures to hazardous substances and potential health risks. Chemical contaminants can enter our environment from emergency release events, hazardous waste disposal, global transport, local deposition and other sources.

Program objectives include:

• Develop intervention strategies to reduce or eliminate chemical exposures of human health concern
• Foster two-way communication in order to address community concerns about contaminants
• Provide information about the health risks associated with hazardous substances

Programs and Activities

• Alaska Lead Surveillance Program
• Alaska Statewide Hair Mercury Biomonitoring Program
• Subsistence/Traditional Foods Safety 
• Public Health Consultations at Sites that Contain Hazardous Substances

Hot Topics! What's New in the Environmental Public Health Program

How to Safely Clean Up and Prevent Mold After a Flood:

• Mold Cleanup After Flood Events Fact Sheet
  
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation: Flood Preparation and Response
  
• Building Science.com Corporation: RR-0210: Mold Remediation in Occupied Homes
• CDC: 8 Tips to Clean Mold
• CDC: Mold
  
• CDC: Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach
  
• CDC: Reduce your Exposure to Mold in Your Home
  
• CDC: Shopping List for Cleaning Mold
  
• CDC: What to Wear Before Entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage
• EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
• EPA: Flood Cleanup and Indoor Air Quality
  
• Tribal Healthy Homes Network - Mold & Moisture
  

Trichloroethylene (TCE):

Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS):

• Perfluoroalykl Substances (PFAS)

Mercury:

• Alaska Statewide Hair Mercury Biomonitoring Program

Radon:

• Radon Resources

Arsenic:

• Arsenic Fact Sheet​
• Frequently Asked Questions About Arsenic
  

Vitamin D:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin D Supplementation and Screening for the Prevention of Rickets and Osteomalacia in Alaska: Recommendations from the Alaska Vitamin D Workgroup, 2018
  
• A Brief Overview on Vitamin D for Alaska Health Care Providers, 2017

Lead:

• Lead Safety Campaign: Get the Lead Out
• Blood Lead Testing Among Children Aged <72 Months-Alaska, 2013-2018
• Updated Policies on Blood Lead Screeing for Medicaid-Eligible Children, 2017

Fact Sheets and Information on Selected Environmental Health Topics in Alaska

* Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement*

• Arsenic in Anchorage- Municipality of Anchorage
• Asbestos- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Carbon Monoxide: Exposure to Carbon Monoxide at Two Facilities - Anchorage, December 2016- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Carbon Monoxide: Hospitalizations due to Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Alaska, 1993-2010- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education
• Environmental Dust- State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation
• Fish Consumption Guidelines- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Food Safety- Health Canada
• Lead- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Mercury- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Mercury, Gold Mining, and Health: Fact Sheet- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Mold: Household Mold Fact Sheet- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Pollen and Outdoor Mold - State of Alaska, DHSS
• UAF Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Extension's Fairbanks Pollen Count
• The Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Center of Alaska, LLC Pollen & Air Quality
• Radiation- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Radon- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Seafood Consumption Recommendations after an Oil Spill- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Volcano facts- State of Alaska, DHSS
• Wildfire smoke- State of Alaska, DHSS

Don't see your topic? Click here for a link to all State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology Bulletins

Other Links of Interest

Many other credible environmental health resources are available online, and individuals seeking general information about health and the environment are encouraged to take advantage of the following useful sites:  

* Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement*

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
  Includes "ToxFAQs" fact sheets that describe the health effects of hazardous substances.
• Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
  The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
• CDC/NCEH
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health